Best Online Engineering Programs in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (2026)
Rancho Cucamonga, California has a population of about 174,693. The city’s median household income is $109,511 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rancho Cucamonga, with tuition ranging from $7,439 to $82,832 per year. In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $170,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Rancho Cucamonga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Rancho Cucamonga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-California | Ontario, CA | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pitzer College | Claremont, CA | 8.0 mi | $62,692 - $82,832 | – |
| Norco College | Norco, CA | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona, CA | 14.7 mi | $7,439 - $22,672 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $109,250 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,679 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,360 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,782 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,800 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $95,677 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,220 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $118,628 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $122,520 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $115,150 |
| Environmental Engineer | $109,830 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $103,224 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $170,180 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $159,944 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Rancho Cucamonga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,511 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in San Bernardino County | 6,654 workers, 665 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rancho Cucamonga-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Upland, CA – 5.4 mi away (76,684 pop)
- Ontario, CA – 6.3 mi away (173,212 pop)
- Fontana, CA – 6.4 mi away (209,665 pop)
- Montclair, CA – 8.4 mi away (38,944 pop)
- Claremont, CA – 8.5 mi away (36,059 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rancho Cucamonga. The closest is Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (14.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Rancho Cucamonga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Rancho Cucamonga are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($170,180), Aerospace Engineer ($126,220), Biomedical Engineer ($122,520). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Upland instead of Rancho Cucamonga?
Upland, CA is 5.4 miles from Rancho Cucamonga and has its own set of local engineering programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Rancho Cucamonga an affordable place to study engineering?
Rancho Cucamonga’s median household income of $109,511 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rancho Cucamonga while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
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